About the District

The Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America. Leopold is perhaps best known as the author of A Sand County Almanac, a book compiled of essays written on his farm in central Wisconsin. In tribute to his philosophy, the Leopold Wetland Management District is dedicated to preserving, restoring, and enhancing wildlife habitat in Wisconsin for the benefit of present and future generations.

The district, established in 1993, manages almost 13,500 acres of Waterfowl Production Areas in 17 southeastern Wisconsin counties, covering some of the most important waterfowl areas of Wisconsin. The District also administers 45 conservation easements, totaling 3,000 acres, in 21 eastern Wisconsin counties. Waterfowl Production Areas consist of wetland habitat surrounded by grassland and woodland communities. While Waterfowl Production Areas are managed primarily for ducks and geese, they also provide habitat for a variety of other wildlife species such as grassland birds, pheasants, shorebirds, wading birds, mink, muskrat, wild turkey, and deer.